News - Topics from June, 2012

An incident that allegedly occurred back in December involving a convicted felon taking a Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) vehicle for a weekend of partying is raising several questions.
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A Blountstown man shot himself in front of deputies just before noon Tuesday morning following a brief standoff.

According to Calhoun County Sheriff David Tatum, authorities learned Randall Pitts, 51, allegedly battered his wife Tuesday morning, then fled in her car with her keys and cell phone. While calling and speaking with him several times to get him to surrender, Pitts reportedly indicated he would harm himself. He was located in the Ocheesee area and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

Pitts crossed over the Jackson County line and wound up on Boneyard Road with authorities from both Calhoun and Jackson surrounding him.

“He could see the road was about to be blocked,” says Sheriff Tatum. “After a few minutes, he shot himself.”

Sheriff Tatum says Pitts put the gun under his chin and the bullet apparently entered his jawbone, then exited. He survived the gunshot wound, but was airlifted to an area hospital.

A benefit cookout is planned Friday, June 22, from 11 a.m. until at the corner of SR 20 & 71 in Blountstown. Plates will include chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans and bread for $5. All proceeds will help Richard Allen Parrish cover costs of medical treatment.

Big tobacco is gunning for your kids. If you doubt it, peruse the selections of tobacco products available in stores across the county. With many candy-flavored selections, it’s clear the tobacco industry is on the prowl for new, younger customers.
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An Altha couple is behind bars after a meth lab was discovered in their home Friday morning.
Eric Shane Tolley and Susan Paige Tolley, both 32, are each charged with manufacturing methamphetamine with children present and trafficking in methamphetamine in excess of 28 grams.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Calhoun-Liberty Drug Task Force served a search warrant on the couple’s home at 11596 NW CR 274 just after 10 a.m. Friday. The couple’s three children were in the home at the time. When asked if anything illegal was in the residence, Shane Tolley reportedly directed Lt. Mark Mallory to the master bedroom and into a small office where a “shake and bake” meth lab was discovered.
A team consisting of Lt. Mallory, Capt. Michael Bryant, Lt. Eddie Dalton, Sgt. Jared Nichols, Sgt. Todd Wheetley, Dep. John Scheetz, Lt. Tim Partridge and Analyst Carla O’Bryan searched the residence. Several items used in the manufacture of meth were recovered. The amount of meth and meth oil seized from the home was estimated at 100 grams, resulting in the trafficking charge.
Although both Shane and Paige denied Paige had any knowledge of meth being manufactured at the home, they both tested positive for the drug. A straw with meth residue was found in Paige’s SUV. A search of Shane’s vehicle turned up a glass pipe and plastic container with meth residue, a small plastic bag of marijuana, a metal marijuana grinder and a package of rolling papers.
A Department of Children and Families investigator assisted at the scene and turned the children over to a family member.
Shane is being held in the Calhoun County Jail and Paige remains in custody at the Liberty County Jail. Bond has been set at $50,000 for each of them.